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Last Sunday was Mother’s Day and, even after all this time, it’s tough — not that I only think of my mom once a year. Truthfully, I miss her everyday. I can’t tell you how many times a week I reach for the phone to call her.

It’s still an automatic reflex whenever I’m unsure about a recipe, or I’ve got news to share, or I’ve seen a movie I know she’d have loved, or some silly antic of hers pops out of my memory bank and into my consciousness.

She was a hoot. Feisty, funny, up for just about anything that didn’t involve elevators or heights.

Last Saturday was my mom’s birthday. Unfortunately she’s not around so I couldn’t celebrate with her. She loved birthdays. Unlike most women who, once they’ve turned 30 or 35, don’t admit to how old they are, my mother told you before you asked.

She was proud of it and gloried in the fact that no one ever believed her because she looked, and acted, so much younger. She was a spunky one, full of piss and vinegar. She didn’t mince words, that one.

But she was also sentimental and her favourite cards, for all occasions, were the mushy ones. And she saved them all. After she died I think I found every birthday, Continue reading →

As you know if you read my blog I’m writing a book. It’s about my mother and, to a lesser degree, me. I loved her and we were always close. But what’s fascinating is, in dredging up these old memories, I’m noticing aspects of her personality, her character, her being I wasn’t really aware of before.

Maybe I’d seen it, known it all along, but it never registered with me, most likely because I Continue reading →

Right now you haven’t got a clue where I’m going with this, do you? Patience my friends, all will become clear.

But first, let me start by saying that Isabel Allende is one of my favourite authors. I’ve read all but one (her latest and it’s on my list) of her books, many of them multiple times. She takes you on magical voyages, not all of which are fiction.

Knowing this, last weekend a friend sent me a link to a Ted Talk she gave in March 2014: “How to live passionately — no matter your age.” OMG! You owe it to yourself to watch it here.

Back in September I wrote about how I was finally attacking my closets and drawers and cupboards and pantries and shelves and papers. Long overdue it was.

Well I’m happy to say I’m done. Mission accomplished. And you may find this hard to believe but I actually enjoyed it. So much so I seem to have become obsessed with order.

I now wake up in the middle of the night and go through stuff and purge. While I’m watching TV or reading a book I suddenly get the urge to reorganize what I’ve just organized; and I do it! In slightly under two months I’ve gone from thriving in chaos to being OCD.

I am not someone who has ever enjoyed cleaning out closets and drawers. Mine have always been over-stuffed, out of control and dare I say, messy. Eventually, though, even I have had enough and I put time aside to attack them.

This past weekend was just such a time. I’m particularly motivated for two reasons: I have lost weight and I knew I’d find clothes in smaller sizes and also, I want to move. And there’s no way I can even think about moving until Continue reading →

What is it about Cheerios? Why do all mothers of really young children never leave the house without a small plastic baggie filled with them? And what is it about them that keeps every wee one I’ve ever seen quiet, happy and occupied, even for hours?

Have you ever paid attention when little kids are around? Doesn’t matter where you are. It could be grandma’s kitchen, a restaurant, a doctor’s waiting room, a store, a Continue reading →

This is a photo of my mother and her identical twin sister. My mother’s the one on the left. There’s no date on the back so I have no idea how old they were. I’m going to say 20 or 21. They’d be 93 if they were still alive.

Ironically they both died in the month of February, although my aunt preceded my mother by several years. She died February 3, 2000. And this coming Thursday, February 26, my mother will have been gone eight years.

Can’t believe how quickly the time’s passed.

But this isn’t a post about sadness and loss. That’s not the right way to remember my mother; or my aunt, for that matter. They were way too full of life to dwell on anything but what characters they were. And what joy they brought.

They were so much alike — and not just in looks — it was freaky. Especially for me, an only Continue reading →

Tomorrow’s my mother’s birthday. She loved celebrating her birthday. Even when she got older. Especially when she got older. She delighted in telling people her age; and loved their reactions.

Because no one ever believed it.

She looked considerably younger, but I think the main reason everyone stared at her in disbelief was her ‘spirit’, which was probably about thirty years younger than she was. At least. Her zest for life, her curiosity, her willingness to try new things, her open mind, her determination, her sense of humour, her giggle, the twinkle in her eye, her energy, her positive attitude all kept her young.

One of her greatest pleasures was eating chocolate. You could see the look of rapture on her face the minute she bit into one. And to her, it didn’t matter — it could have been a handful of chocolate chips or a candy Continue reading →

Leo believe in themselves and manage to move forward. The people born under the sign of Leo have the inclination to be romantic, idealists, ambitious, faithful, powerful, devoted, generous, honourable, fair and sometimes too brave. The interests of Leo are aimed at entertainment, children (especially their own). Leo zodiac sign generosity attracts the friendship of people.

This morning a Facebook friend posted a happy birthday wish to her twin daughters. As I ‘liked’ it I realized, with a start, that today is also my late mother’s birthday. Interestingly enough, she was also a twin. Today is also my friend, Karen’s birthday.

Seems I’m surrounded by Leos. Not a hardship, by any means. They’re wonderful people. Warm and loving and kind. Always upbeat and smiling. Totally outgoing. The description above is certainly accurate — at least as far as the Leos in my life are concerned.

Sadly, neither my mother or aunt are around to celebrate with me, today. But hopefully, wherever Continue reading →